Consider the risks carefully before co-sleeping with your child

Dec. 31, 2012

Sleeping baby / Jupiterimages/Getty Images/Pixland

Written by

Linda Brees

[ SAFE KIDS ]

My daughter has given me two beautiful granddaughters, one almost 6 years old and her newest, now a bit over 2 years old. Because I have sat on a child fatality review board, I breathed a big sigh of relief that my beautiful granddaughters made it past the vulnerable one-year mark ó a period in a childís life when she is most at risk for sudden infant death syndrome.

Too often Iíve been at board meetings in which weíve had to review the death of a child who died inexplicably, leaving behind unimaginable heartache for the parents and family.

Several of these deaths occurred not because the babies had some mysterious disease that made them stop breathing, but because they were in unsafe sleeping environments or were rolled over by an adult. The trend of babies dying from co-sleeping is rapidly increasing.

Despite the American Academy of Pediatricsí recommendations against bed-sharing or co-sleeping ó which is the practice of an adult sleeping with a baby in an adult bed ó with infants under age 1, there continues to be controversy on this issue.

Dr. James McKenna and Dr. William Sears, among other popular authors, contend that when done safely, co-sleeping promotes mother-baby bonding and breast-feeding. But the fact is the average American adult bed is simply not a safe environment for babies. Most adults use pillows, for one thing ó lots of them. We also tend to prefer blankets and comforters that are softer and bulkier than what is safe for infants. So the question is this: Can the practice of bed sharing be done safely?

The prospect of death due to a sleeping parent accidentally crushing or suffocating a young child makes many experts warn against ever putting a baby down to sleep in the same bed with an adult. The AAP recommends that all infants be put to sleep on their backs and alone in cribs that meet current safety standards. The group has mounted a nationwide publicity campaign to educate parents in this regard.

Although bed-sharing proponents claim benefits such as more and longer periods of breast-feeding and less interrupted sleep (admittedly an enticing idea for new, sleep deprived parents), there are hidden hazards. These hazards include falls, suffocation and having a baby get trapped between the bed and a wall, headboard or footboard.

(Page 2 of 2)

Clearly, bed sharing between parents and babies, when combined with factors such as parental intoxication, smoking, exhaustion and the use of medication, increases an infantís vulnerability. Itís unclear how many of the young children who die in bed with parents actually succumb to SIDS, a condition whose causes are still unknown.

Because some parents will still choose to co-sleep, I feel it is important to provide safety tips if you are considering co-sleeping with your baby or young child.

■Make sure your baby canít roll or fall off the sides, head or foot of the bed. Some parents use co-sleepers available at baby supply stores. These devices attach to the adult mattress and allow the baby to be within armís reach without actually being in the same bed. Another common practice is the use of a ďMosesĒ basket that fits on the bed or beside the bed and protects the baby.

■If you can fit more than two fingers in the space between your mattress and your headboard or footboard, tightly roll large towels and place them in the crevices. Consider placing the mattress on the floor and temporarily storing the frame elsewhere.

■Never let your baby sleep with another child of any age. Consider having only one adult in the bed with the baby at a time. Dad can temporarily sleep elsewhere.

■Donít put your baby down alone on an adult bed.

■Make sure the sleeping surface is firm. Experts recommend against waterbeds, especially ones without internal baffles. One study found 68 infants died sleeping on waterbeds. Also avoid featherbeds, beanbags or pillow-top mattresses.

■Donít sleep with your baby if youíre under the influence of anything that will impair your judgment or make you drowsy, extra-sleepy or difficult to wake. Such substances include tobacco, alcohol and drugs, including many prescription and some nonprescription drugs.

■If you breast feed, donít fall asleep while doing it, even if you are sitting up in a bed or chair. A baby can have her breathing cut off if sheís held improperly. She can also be dropped easily.

■Donít use a lot of pillows, blankets, quilts or stuffed toys that could suffocate a baby. If you are cold, put on more clothing, not more covers. Make sure your babyís head remains uncovered. Avoid overheating your baby.

■Never fall asleep with your baby on a couch, sofa or overstuffed chair. These are the most dangerous sleeping environments for your baby; she could easily suffocate by becoming wedged between cushions. Always put your baby to sleep on her back, whether or not you co-sleep.

The best practice is to have children sleep alone, on their backs and in their own cribs. These ABCs could save your childís life. I want all babies to reach their first birthday and to have many more happy times to celebrate.